What does that mean?

It probably means: When you upgrade to the next version of MacOS, which Apple will most likely release end of September 2018, that some or all of your 32 bit applications will not work correctly. Or will not work at all. Or continue to work.

As Apple has not shared more detail than what you can read above, it’s hard to predict how much 32-bit applications will be affected. Currently we just know that they will be affected.

What are your options?

So if you still have 32-bit applications that are crucial for your workflow, you have three options:

Stay on your current version of MacOS:
As Apple typically provides security patches for the current AND the last two previous version of MacOS, you will be safe using Sierra or High Sierra for 1-2 years from Oct 2018 onwards. Then you need to revisit the other two options:

Virtualize your current MacOS:
Use a virtualization service to install your current version of MacOS in a virtual machine that you can launch. Three examples are Parallels, VMware Fusion or Virtual Box. Downside of course is the additional overhead and the performance impact.
And you should not connect the virtual machine to the network/Internet once Apple doesn’t provide security patches for it anymore.
Virtualization might be the only way though if you are using applications that your clients still use. Or where the application is not further developed and there’s no alternative on the market.

Upgrade your 32-bit application to a newer version being 64-bit or use a different application that’s 64-bit:
For example, upgrade QuarkXPress 9 to at least QuarkXPress 2015. Or upgrade Photoshop CS5 to at least CS6. Or switch to a different image editing application like Affinity Photo.

You still have until September 2018 to make up your mind. Just don’t wait until the last second.

How to find out which of your applications are still 32-bit?

To find out which applications might be affected, you need to find out which applications are not yet 64-bit. Here’s how to easily find out:

Hold the option key, go to Apple menu and choose the first menu item (now called “System Information…”)

In the sidebar of System Information navigate down to “Software > Applications” and select it.

Wait for a few seconds (time depends on how many applications you have installed)

You will see all applications installed. Click on the column “64 Bit” to sort for “No”

Now you will see ALL applications that are not yet 64-bit as well as – further down – all applications that are already 64-bit.

UPDATE:

Both an engineer and a layout artist, Matthias bridges the gap between technology and people.

Before joining Quark, Matthias pioneered print, Web, and multimedia products for multiple German publishing companies. Since 1997 he has played a central role in shaping Quark’s desktop and enterprise software.
Starting 2003 Matthias has focused on Quark’s interactive and digital publishing solutions. He is an active participant in design and publishing communities and represents Quark in the Ghent PDF Workgroup.

Since February 2014 Matthias heads Quark’s Desktop Publishing business unit and is therefore responsible for QuarkXPress.

Denver, CO – 24/05/2017 – Quark Software Inc. announced today a new offer created specifically for designers who don’t currently own QuarkXPress but are considering switching or adding it to their toolkit. For a limited time, InDesign®, Photoshop®, Creative Suite®/Creative Cloud®, CorelDraw®, and Microsoft® Publisher users can save 50% on a license of QuarkXPress 2017, the new version of Quark’s fully-integrated graphic design and layout software for professional print and digital production.

Top 10 Reasons to Switch to QuarkXPress

QuarkXPress 2017 is the alternative for every creative professional who wants to leverage the modern and efficient design software and, if you’re an InDesign/Photoshop/CC user, escape the ongoing subscription model with a perpetual license of QuarkXPress. Here are 10 reasons to consider QuarkXPress now:

No monthly subscription – designers own their copy of QuarkXPress

More intuitive user interface, less palette clutter, and faster time to results

Ability to convert any PDF to editable QuarkXPress objects

Ability to copy and paste objects from InDesign, Illustrator, and Excel as editable QuarkXPress objects

More granular design control for optical margin alignment, gradients, and opacity

Ability to output unlimited iOS single apps for free

Lower cost of ownership – designers determine when upgrading is right for them

Limited Time Offer – Over 50% Discount
For a limited time users with an eligible product who want to switch or add QuarkXPress to their workflow can purchase a full new commercial license of QuarkXPress 2017 (Mac/Win) for just £345/€399/$399. The perpetual license is unrestricted and can be upgraded to future versions.

Of course you keep all software that qualified you to purchase the Competitive Upgrade to QuarkXPress 2017. It’s up to you whether you want to continue using it or cancel the rental contract. In no case Quark will tamper any other software installed on your system or notify the vendor of the competitive software.

About QuarkXPress

QuarkXPress is used by hundreds of thousands of professional designers and hobbyists around the world to perform almost any print or digital task. Built on a fast 64-bit architecture with uniquely innovative features, QuarkXPress has surpassed the competition in many areas. Unlike any other tool, QuarkXPress provides Bezier editing so designers can remain in one application for page layout with high-end typography and vector drawing.

Now, with QuarkXPress 2017, which introduces new non-destructive image editing capabilities, designers are able to manipulate images within the context of a design without having to constantly switch to image editing software. Designers can also place, convert, and edit almost any graphic format – including Photoshop, PDF, and Illustrator files – directly within QuarkXPress. Also, to make switching to QuarkXPress even easier, designers can import or convert existing layouts and graphics created with InDesign, CorelDraw, or Microsoft Publisher via PDF or copy and paste using the “convert to native objects” features in QuarkXPress.

Get Started Now!

For more information about QuarkXPress, please visit: www.quark.com. For a comprehensive overview of QuarkXPress 2017, check out the What’s New video. Download the free Trial Version for a fully-functional test of the new version.

Switch, Upgrade to, or Purchase QuarkXPress 2017

Both an engineer and a layout artist, Matthias bridges the gap between technology and people.

Before joining Quark, Matthias pioneered print, Web, and multimedia products for multiple German publishing companies. Since 1997 he has played a central role in shaping Quark’s desktop and enterprise software.
Starting 2003 Matthias has focused on Quark’s interactive and digital publishing solutions. He is an active participant in design and publishing communities and represents Quark in the Ghent PDF Workgroup.

Since February 2014 Matthias heads Quark’s Desktop Publishing business unit and is therefore responsible for QuarkXPress.

Many people have asked me whether there are high-quality tools available for Creative Pros other than the rental suite of Adobe’s Creative Cloud.

I leave it up to you whether you prefer renting a software suite or whether you like to keep/own your tools (the license that is).

Though for me the model of “software vendor adds features and time savers into software – user decides whether it’s worth the purchase/upgrade” just feels to be more fair than “continue paying vendor as long as you use software and if you stop paying you can’t open your work files anymore.”

So here are my personal recommendations for high-quality tools that do not force you to rent:

Both an engineer and a layout artist, Matthias bridges the gap between technology and people.

Before joining Quark, Matthias pioneered print, Web, and multimedia products for multiple German publishing companies. Since 1997 he has played a central role in shaping Quark’s desktop and enterprise software.
Starting 2003 Matthias has focused on Quark’s interactive and digital publishing solutions. He is an active participant in design and publishing communities and represents Quark in the Ghent PDF Workgroup.

Since February 2014 Matthias heads Quark’s Desktop Publishing business unit and is therefore responsible for QuarkXPress.

Andrea Astolfi is a creative professional with over 25 years of experience in electronic publishing. Andrea is based in Italy and specializes in the production of books and long documents, characterized by the presence of many images and illustrations.

You need the QuarkXPress Document Converter to (batch) convert documents from v6 and below, so that QuarkXPress 10, 2015 or 2016 can open these.

The notable new features in QuarkXPress Document Converter version 1.1 are:

QuarkXPress Document Converter will now be able to strip Web layouts and Interactive layouts out of legacy projects during conversion. Only Print and App Studio layouts within the legacy project will be retained after conversion.

QuarkXPress Document Converter will now be able to remove Pasteboard XTension slug from the legacy documents during conversion.

So that means – even though you do not need QuarkXPress Document Converter for documents created in QuarkXPress 7, 8 or 9 – these two new features might be the reason to still run them through it.

Bottom-line might be that QuarkXPress Document Converter will wash them clean… ;-)

Both an engineer and a layout artist, Matthias bridges the gap between technology and people.

Before joining Quark, Matthias pioneered print, Web, and multimedia products for multiple German publishing companies. Since 1997 he has played a central role in shaping Quark’s desktop and enterprise software.
Starting 2003 Matthias has focused on Quark’s interactive and digital publishing solutions. He is an active participant in design and publishing communities and represents Quark in the Ghent PDF Workgroup.

Since February 2014 Matthias heads Quark’s Desktop Publishing business unit and is therefore responsible for QuarkXPress.

Recent News

Due to popular demand, the first update for QuarkXPress 2018 adds back the font sub menus on MacOS. The free update further adds new JavaScript methods and further improves stability, quality and performance.

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are promising to combine the positive aspects of both, native apps and HTML. Learn how you can easily create a PWA out of WordPress. Or by converting an AI, PDF, IDML (InDesign) or QuarkXPress into a PWA.

Need to sort text in QuarkXPress? See how this free sample script allows you to sort paragraphs in a selected text box with a single click.

When QuarkXPress behaves erratic or crashes, in most cases corrupt preferences are the cause. Deleting preferences will fix that. Just, where do you find preferences for QuarkXPress on MacOS / OS X and Windows? See here.

Quark has launched a new webinar series with free tutorials about how to create HTML5 Publications (PWA), ebooks and print-ready PDF. Topics also include typography sessions, tutorials about how to use Image Editing and OpenType features and more. First three webinars are online, a new one is coming every two weeks.

Apple announced the next major version of MacOS, MacOS 10.14, called Mojave. Who wouldn't want to try it immediately? Of course risk-free, without jeopardizing production if you have just one Mac. You need a way to revert if not yet satisfied. Here's how to safely test and how to quickly revert if needed.

How do you check whether your website complies to the PWA standard (PWA = Progressive Web App)? See how and see an example scoring 100 (out of 100). And how to easily create a PWA yourself.

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